Bettendorf School Board meeting 11.15.04

Unofficial Minutes of the November 15, 2004, Regular Meeting (Pending Board Approval) 1. Call to Order.

The Board of Directors of the Bettendorf Community School District, in the County of Scott, state of Iowa, met in open session according to Iowa law for their regular Board meeting at the Ray Stensvad Administration Center, 3311 Central Avenue, Bettendorf, Iowa, on November 15, 2004. In President Andersonís absence, Vice President Weigle called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. and the Board recited the Pledge of Allegiance. Lynne Lindstrom, Board Secretary, verified that the meeting notice had been posted and mailed to the media as required by law.

Members present: Directors Castro, Crockett, Ehrmann, Luton, Mayer, Weigle. Members absent: Director Anderson. Other officials present: John Perdue, Superintendent; Carol Webb, Assistant Superintendent; Maxine McEnany, Director of Business & Financial Celeste Reuter, Director of Communications; Joe Slavens, Board Treasurer; Erin Cavanaugh and Tim Holmes, Student Council Representatives; Lynne Lindstrom, Board Secretary.

2. Agenda Approval.

Director Mayer requested a change under item #4.03 Commendations, noting the University of Northern Iowa is located in Cedar Falls, Iowa (not Cedar Rapids).

Motion by Director Crockett, seconded by Director Ehrmann, to approve the agenda as amended.

Ayes: 6 Directors Castro, Crockett, Ehrmann, Luton, Mayer, Weigle. Nays: 0 Absent: 1 Director Anderson. Motion carried 6-0-1.

3. Comments and Suggestions from Audience. 3.01 President's Statement. On behalf of fellow Board members, at this time I would like to invite any member of the audience to step to the microphone with comments about items of interest or concern that do not appear on the agenda this evening. Please begin by stating your name and address. It would be most appreciated if you would limit your comments to three minutes so that we can keep the meeting moving in a timely fashion and allow others an opportunity to speak. We ask that you remember that Iowa law prohibits us from discussing specific employees or their job performance. If you have thoughts to share about items that are included as topics for tonight's meeting, we would invite those comments when we reach that point in the meeting. Thank you for your support of our school district.

There were no comments from the audience. Commendations.

4.01 Bettendorf High School recipients of the All-State Music Award for 2004 are as follows: Orchestra: Paul Trapkus - Violin I (this is his 4th year being accepted into the Orchestra, which is a great accomplishment.) Band: Mike Conrad - Trombone (2nd year All-Stater). Chorus: Luther Wirtz, Tom McConville and Alicia Brintnall. Directors are Michael J. Green, Deb Ragan and Mike Dynes. All-State is the highest musical honor a high school musician can attain in the state of Iowa. Acceptance is done by audition. Approximately 5,000 students across the state audition for the 600 voice choir, 190 piece orchestra and 250 piece band. The All-State Festival is held in Ames, IA on November 18 -20, 2004. The students work with world-renowned conductors and present a public concert on Saturday evening, November 20th in Hilton Coliseum, ISU Campus. The concert is taped by Iowa Public Television and broadcast Thanksgiving evening. 4.02 Congratulations to high school seniors, John Stroh and Andrew Preacher. John scored a perfect 800 on the SAT II writing test, and Andrew scored a perfect 800 on the verbal section of the SAT I. 4.03 Diane Bodnar and Beth Campbell, Mark Twain teachers, presented a workshop on ìClub 55î on Thursday, October 28, at University Book and Supply at the University of Northern Iowa in Cedar Falls. Diane and Beth established the Club 55 program at Mark Twain Elementary School, based on Ron Clarkís book The Essential 55, a compilation of fifty- five rules that provide guidelines for living and interacting with others. Club members promote kindness, politeness, and good manners, serve as role models to the entire student body, and give tours to visitors at Mark Twain. Parents, teachers, community members, and prospective elementary teachers attended the UNI program. 4.04 The Bettendorf High School Student Council was one of 16 councils across the state recognized for their achievements and named an Honor Council. Cathy Ahrens and Heather Wiley are the advisors. Honor Council Awards are given to those schools that submit a scrapbook documenting the school, community, state and national activities in which the council has taken part throughout the past year. The award is based on a criterion of excellence which student councils are encouraged to work toward. Points are awarded in each category and total point scores are accumulated to determine qualification for the award. In addition, students John Stroh, Anita Bontu, Ryan Langtimm, Veena Bontu, Jihane Boucherab and Sami Faruqui presented a conference breakout session entitled "Don't Just Sit There". The BHS Student Council has also wrapped up another successful Student Hunger Drive, collecting 53,253 lbs. of food = 36.15 lb. per student, with a cash value of $106,506. 4.05 Congratulations to Dick Rasmussen, custodian at Bettendorf Middle School, for being recognized as Employee of the 1st Quarter by his co- workers. His positive attitude, friendliness, consideration for others, and ability to get things accomplished were some of the reasons he was nominated for this award. He was presented with a certificate and a Bettendorf Community School District mug by Dr. Perdue at a staff meeting on November 10, 2004. 4.06 Congratulations to Bettendorf High School student, Noah Blaser, for his 3rd place in Student Congress at the Wahlert Speech & Debate tournament Saturday. 4.07 The following Bettendorf High School volleyball players were selected to the MAC All Conference Volleyball teams: 1st team- Ashley Lichtenberg, 2nd team- Abby DeVries, Honorable Mention- Lori Pankratz. 5. Consent Agenda.

Under item #5.02 Approval of November 1, 2004, Regular Board Meeting Minutes, Director Mayer noted a correction on page 3, item #5.04, under Grant Funded-FYI: Reggie McGill/BMS/Physical Education Program Project Manager/$19.00 per hour/696 hours by 6/30/05/Starting immediately (not 6/30/04).

Motion by Director Crockett, seconded by Director Luton, to approve the consent agenda as amended.

Ayes: 6 Directors Castro, Crockett, Ehrmann, Luton, Mayer, Weigle. Nays: 0 Absent: 1 Director Anderson. Motion carried 6-0-1.

1. Approval of November 1, 2004, Special Board Meeting Minutes. 2. Approval of November 1, 2004, Regular Board Meeting Minutes. 3. Financial Reports. 4. Approval of November 15, 2004 Bills Recommended for Payment. 5. Approval of Administrative Recommendations--Personnel.

Certified Lane Change Patricia Walters BA+15,12 to BA+30, 13 $1,748 Classified ñ Resignation Kate Dusthimer/BHS/Para Educator B/Effective 11/19/04 Classified - Recommendation for Employment Carol Keller/MT/Para Educator B/$10.63 per hour /3 hours per day-4 days per week/New position per student IEP /Effective 11/8/04 Laura Schleusener/MT/Para Educator A/$11.53 per hour /2.5 hours per day/New position-use of Title I funds/Effective 11/2/04 Julie Yarolim/RSAC/Administrative Assistant-Payroll Accountant/Step 1- $13.47 per hour/8 hours per day/Replacing Lynne Lindstrom, Jennifer Ribellia/Effective 11/2/04 Classified ñ Letter of Assignment Modification Jacque Krause/BHS/Transfer from Head Cook to Head Baker/Same rate of pay/Same hours/Replacing Vicki Day/Effective 11/1/04 Norma Zamora/BHS/Transfer from Assistant Cook I to Head Cook/Same rate of pay/From 5.75 to 8 hours per day/Replacing Jacque Krause/Effective 11/8/04 1. Construction Change Orders. 2. Special Pay Deferral Plan and Trust Based Health Care Savings Plan. Directors authorized the administration to implement plans that utilize IRS Code Sections 401(a), 403(b) and 2002-41/45 to save the Employer payroll taxes on payments to employees for retirement. 5.08 Approval of Requests for Open Enrollment.

Into Bettendorf, 2004/05

Megan Cowherd, grade 2, from Pleasant Valley, continuation due to change of residence Tyler Cowherd, grade 7, from Pleasant Valley, continuation due to change of residence Jason Jared, grade 10, from Pleasant Valley, continuation due to change of residence Alexanderia Leedle, grade 2, from Pleasant Valley, continuation due to change of residence Brandon Mavrick, grade 5, from Pleasant Valley, continuation due to change of residence Melissa Milano, grade 11, from Pleasant Valley, good cause due to change of residence

Into Bettendorf, 2005/06

Brittany Leedle, kindergarten, from Pleasant Valley For information only. The following students have open enrolled out of the Bettendorf Community School District:

Out of Bettendorf, 2004/05

Allison Thomas, kindergarten, to Pleasant Valley

Out of Bettendorf, 2005/06

Lubna Omar, grade 6, to Pleasant Valley Muna Omar, grade 8, to Pleasant Valley Waleed Omar, grade 3, to Pleasant Valley 1. 6. Discussion Items. Shared Communications.

Director Crockett attended three PTA meetings and a realtor meeting in the past month and shared positive feedback and similar focus for PTAs. Additionally, both Superintendent Perdue and Director Crockett reported good communication between the realtors and the district.

Director Castro congratulated the BHS football team on their recent state semi-final football game and wished them positive results at the State final on November 19. Director Castro attended a recent after-school tutoring sessions and reported continued improvement and positive attitudes of students.

Due to the change in scheduling, Director Mayer indicated he would be unable to fulfill his role on the Legislative Committee. Director Weigle volunteered to assist.

Student representatives Erin Cavanaugh and Tim Holmes shared the successes of the recent Student Councilís hunger drive efforts and their intent on increasing the goal for next year.

1. 6.02 Alternate to Expulsion.

Superintendent Perdue outlined the components of an alternative to student expulsion, as recommended by the Board of Education. The alternative is designed to address behavior and performance detrimental to the best interests of the school through an alternate and temporary education placement. Students considered for this placement may not possess sufficient criteria for expulsion. The criteria for referral, referral process, administrative review procedures, and the term of placement were reviewed. The Annie Wittenmeyer Learning Center was recommended as an educational placement option based on the components it could offer students. Charges for their services total $90/day, with funding options from special education or general fund. Directors suggested the placement of a student be left to the discretion of the principal. Superintendent Perdue recommended a one-year pilot of this program in order to review the outcomes and budget implications. Director Mayer requested the pilot program be based upon a specific number of students rather than a period of time for a better analysis of the program. This item will be brought back to the Board as an action item on their December 6 agenda. Long-Term Financial Planning Report.

Ms. Maxine McEnany, Director of Financial & Business Services, provided an overview of the long-term financial plan for the district. She shared a calculation of the budget guarantee, projected three- year retirement turnover savings, multi-year financial projects and highlighted upcoming school improvement initiatives. She indicated these were preliminary numbers, and sheíll continue to update this plan as more definitive numbers are available. Facilities Planning.

Superintendent Perdue outlined a list of completed facilities upgrades, sales-tax revenue projections, and proposed new projects. Directors discussed the Facilities Advisory Councilís role and suggested a smaller, streamlined council (10 or less) be formed to review the long range plan for elementary schools (particularly Armstrong and Jefferson) that is best for the district and present a proposal to the Board in March 2005. More specific ideas for this council included: making recommendations for greater efficiencies between Armstrong and Jefferson schools; making recommendations for possible reuse of Jefferson for alternate educational purposes; and determining the viability of renovations to Armstrong Elementary. Superintendent Perdue noted administration has not spoken to the Jefferson and Armstrong communities regarding the possibility of a building a new school. Directors discussed the positive implications of revitalization, collaboration with staff, partnerships with community agencies, marketing to families, etc. Superintendent Perdue indicated there were no pre-determined decisions on this project and seeking the direction of a community council would assist the Board in the decision-making process.

Action Items. Approval of Proclamation: American Education Week.

Director Crockett shared the American Education Week proclamation.

Motion by Director Crockett, seconded by Director Mayer, to approve the proclamation naming November 14-20, 2004, as American Education Week.

Ayes: 6 Directors Crockett, Ehrmann, Luton, Mayer, Weigle, Castro. Nays: 0 Absent: 1 Director Anderson. Motion carried 6-0-1. 1. Open Enrollment Request Into the District, 2004/05.

Superintendent Perdue presented the open enrollment request from Kourtney Francks, noting the districtís special education program is at capacity and not accepting non-resident students.

Motion by Director Luton, seconded by Director Castro, to approve the request for open enrollment into the district for school year 2004/05, for Kourtney Francks, grade 8 from Delwood Community Schools.

Ayes: 0 Nays: 6 Directors Ehrmann, Luton, Mayer, Weigle, Castro, Crockett. Absent: 1 Director Anderson. Motion failed 0-6-1. Superintendentís Report. 2. DE Accreditation Visit; BOE Questions; BOE Attendance. Directors Castro, Crockett, and Luton volunteered to represent the Board at the upcoming Department of Education Accreditation Visit. 3. Superintendentís Goals. Superintendent Perdue reviewed progress on his 2004/05 goals. 4. Next Agenda Planning. Directors discussed the proposed agenda for the Monday, December 6, 2004, including a 6:30 p.m. Learning Session.

Future Events and Informational Items. 2. Tuesday, November 16, PTA meeting, 3:30 p.m., Jefferson Elementary School (Director Ehrmann, Dr. Perdue) 3. Wednesday, November 17 ñ Thursday, November 18, Iowa Association of School Boards Annual Convention, Des Moines 4. Friday, November 19, BCS Foundation Board Meeting, 12:00 noon, RSAC 5. Wednesday, December 1, Governorís Meeting, 7:00 p.m., AEA 6. Thursday, December 2, PTA meeting, 7:00 p.m., Neil Armstrong Elementary School (Director Luton & Dr. Perdue) 7. Monday, December 6, Board of Education Meeting, 7:00 p.m., RSAC 10. Adjournment.

Motion by Director Mayer to adjourn the meeting at 8:33 p.m.

_______________________________________

Barry Anderson, President ATTEST: __________________________________ Lynne Lindstrom, Secretary